Electronic cigarette with indicator of remaining battery life and liquid to be vaporized

ABSTRACT

An e-cigarette has a draw-activated light emitting diode that is activated by an electrical signal which indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source. When vaping, an air sensor detects inhalation and closes an electrical circuit. A printed circuit board assembly sends an electrical signal to the light emitting diode. In response, the light emitting diode will illuminate in a green color if the power source has an energy level between 51% and 100%; in a yellow color if the power source has an energy level between 11% and 50%; and in a red color if the power source has an energy level equal to or lower than 10%. Such light signals are detected by a user who is thereby informed about the operational state of his e-cigarette.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to electronic cigarettes with visual indicators of remaining electrical power and liquid to be vaporized.

BACKGROUND

Conventional electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have an atomizer, a source of electrical energy such as battery, and a reservoir for a liquid to be vaporized.

The liquid to be vaporized (e-liquid) is a mixture of such ingredients as nicotine, glycerin, propylene glycol, flavorings, contaminants and other additives. Formulations vary widely. Typically, the e-liquid has glycol and glycerin as its major components. Flavorings, nicotine and other additives usually are relatively minor additives.

Despite recent improvements, most devices on the market today fail to offer complete satisfaction. One reason is that the user is not given any warning of imminent expiration of the e-cigarette. Expiration could be caused by an exhaustion of battery power or of the e-liquid to be vaporized. Such experiences often detract from the satisfaction of using the conventional e-cigarette.

Against this background, it would be desirable to have available an e-cigarette that provides an early warning indication of imminent depletion, either of battery life or of the liquid to be vaporized.

SUMMARY

In one illustrative embodiment, an electronic cigarette has an elongate hollow body with an active end region that engages a user's lips, a central region and a passive end region. A mouthpiece is located proximate the active end region

Situated proximate the mouthpiece is a cartridge which contains an e-liquid to be vaporized. A wicking agent lies in fluid contact with the e-liquid that is adapted to duct the e-liquid to a heating element. When energized, the heating element vaporizes the e-liquid supplied by the wicking agent.

A power source is in electrical contact with the heating element. An associated electrical circuit is closed by an air sensor in response to a draw exerted by a user. The air sensor detects an incoming draw induced by negative pressure applied by a user as he or she draws at the mouthpiece.

The electrical circuit includes a printed circuit board assembly that is adapted to energize the heating element in response to an electrical signal emitted by the air sensor. The heating element then at least partially vaporizes the e-liquid.

Included in the electrical circuit is a draw-activated light emitting diode that is activated by an electrical signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source. Preferably, when vaping, the air sensor detects inhalation. As a result, the electrical circuit is closed. Then the printed circuit board assembly sends an electrical signal to the light emitting diode.

In response, the light emitting diode will illuminate in a green color if the power source has an energy level between 51% and 100%; in a yellow color if the power source has an energy level between 11% and 50%; and in a red color if the power source has an energy level equal to or lower than 10%.

Consequently, a user receives visual feedback as to the operating condition of the e-cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 includes two side views and one longitudinal sectional view of an e-cigarette according to one embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a printed circuit board assembly according to one embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a controller logic diagram according to one embodiment of this disclosure; and

FIG. 4 shows representative process steps following user inhalation;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

In one illustrative embodiment of a single use e-cigarette depicted in FIG. 1 , the e-cigarette 1 has an elongate hollow body 2 with an active end region 3 that engages a user's lips, a central region 4 and a passive end region 5. A mouthpiece 7 is located proximate the active end region 3.

Situated proximate the mouthpiece 7 is a cartridge 6 which contains an e-liquid 8 to be vaporized. A wicking agent 9 lies in fluid contact with the e-liquid that is adapted to duct the e-liquid to a resistance heating element 10. When energized, the heating element 10 vaporizes the e-liquid supplied by the wicking agent 9.

A power source 11 is in electrical contact with the heating element 10. One example of a suitable battery is a 14500 900 mAh lithium ion battery 17. An associated electrical circuit is closed by an air sensor 12 in response to a draw exerted by a user. The air sensor 12 detects an incoming draw induced by negative pressure applied by the user as he or she draws at the mouthpiece 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 , the electrical circuit includes a printed circuit board assembly 13 that is adapted to energize the heating element 10 in response to an electrical signal emitted by the air sensor 12. The heating element 10 then at least partially vaporizes the e-liquid. The printed circuit board assembly 13 has an insulating substrate board on which conductive tracks are provided.

Included in the electrical circuit is a draw-activated light emitting diode 14 that is visible to a user and is activated by an electrical signal which indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source 11. Preferably, when vaping, the air sensor 12 detects inhalation. As a result, the electrical circuit is closed. Then the printed circuit board assembly 13 sends an electrical signal to the light emitting diode 14.

In response, as depicted in FIG. 3 , the light emitting diode 14 will illuminate in a green color if the power source 11 has an energy level between 51% and 100%; in a yellow color if the power source 11 has an energy level between 11% and 50%; and in a red color if the power source 12 has an energy level at or lower than 10%. In some embodiments, the light emitting diode may blink when exhaustion may be imminent. Consequently, a user receives visual feedback as to the operating condition of the e-cigarette.

After use, the e-cigarette may be discarded. In some embodiments, however, one or more components of the e-cigarette may be re-used in combination with a fresh supply of the e-liquid 8.

Preferably, the elongate hollow body 2 (FIG. 1 ) includes a stainless steel shell that is protected by a matted exterior.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 , the power source 11 is adapted to provide a targeted number (N) of draws, where N may lie between 300 and 5000. Preferably N approximates 1500. When N is reached the e-cigarette ceases operation.

As noted earlier, each inhalation detected by the air sensor 12 triggers a signal (S_(i)) that is sent to the printed circuit board assembly 13, thereby updating a frequency count of draws and thus of record of battery life and level of e-liquid remaining. Depending on the number of draws detected, the printed circuit board assembly generates and transmits a color-determining signal to the light emitting diode 14. Though red, green and yellow are described herein, it will be appreciated that other colors or visual indicators may be used to signal e-cigarette operating condition to the user.

In some variants, the e-liquid comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, synthetic nicotine, vegetable glycerin and flavoring.

Preferably, the power source 11 is a non-rechargeable battery and the cartridge 6 is non-refillable. Thus, in intended use, the e-cigarette after depletion is disposable.

One method of using the disclosed e-cigarette has the following steps:

-   -   drawing on a mouthpiece of the e-cigarette;     -   detecting a light signal emitted by a light emitting diode; and     -   associating a color emitted by the light emitting diode with a         condition of the e-cigarette, the condition being an amount of         power remaining in the power source or the level of e-liquid         remaining.

To manufacture an embodiment of the e-cigarette, these are the main steps:

-   -   providing an elongate hollow body with an active end region that         engages a user's lips, a central region and a passive end         region;     -   locating a mouthpiece proximate the active end region;     -   situating a cartridge proximate the mouthpiece, the cartridge         containing an e-liquid to be vaporized;     -   disposing a wicking agent in fluid contact with the e-liquid         that is adapted to duct the e-liquid;     -   placing a heating element in thermal contact with the wicking         agent and in electrical contact with the heating element in         response to a draw exerted by a user;     -   positioning an air sensor that detects an incoming draw induced         by negative pressure applied by the user as he or she draws at         the mouthpiece;     -   connecting a printed circuit board assembly in electrical         communication with the air-sensor, the printed circuit board         assembly being adapted to energize the heating element in         response to an electrical signal emitted by the air sensor, the         heating element being adapted to at least partially vaporize the         e-liquid; and     -   energizing a draw-activated light emitting diode that         illuminates in a colored response to an electrical signal that         indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power         source.

Alternatively, the energizing step may occur in response to an electrical signal that indicates the number of draws taken and therefore the level of e-liquid remaining.

Optionally, the energizing step may occur in response to either an electrical signal that indicates a level of e-liquid remaining or the electrical signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source.

It will be appreciated that manufacturing steps may involve:

-   -   configuring the printed circuit board assembly to read         electrical signals S_(i) (emitted by the air sensor and         accumulated to quantify inhalation count) and S_(b) (battery         voltage level);     -   activating the light emitting diode such that         -   if 51>S_(b)>100%, activate green LED         -   if 11>S_(b)>50%, activate yellow LED         -   if S_(b)<=10%, activate red LED; and     -   disconnecting the electrical power source if S_(i)>N where         300<N<5000.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS  1 electronic cigarette  2 elongate hollow body  3 active end region  4 central region  5 passive end region  6 cartridge  7 mouthpiece  8 e-liquid  9 wicking agent 10 heating element 11 power source 12 air sensor 13 printed circuit board assembly 14 light emitting diode 15 stainless steel shell 16 matted exterior 17 lithium ion battery 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic cigarette having an elongate hollow body with an active end region that engages a user's lips, a central region and a passive end region; a mouthpiece located proximate the active end region; a cartridge situated proximate the mouthpiece, the cartridge containing an e-liquid to be vaporized; a wicking agent in fluid contact with the e-liquid that is adapted to duct the e-liquid; a heating element in thermal contact with the wicking agent; a power source in electrical contact with the heating element in response to a draw exerted by a user; an air sensor that detects an incoming draw induced by negative pressure applied by a user as he or she draws at the mouthpiece; a printed circuit board assembly in electrical communication with the air-sensor, the printed circuit board assembly being adapted to energize the heating element in response to a signal emitted by the air sensor, the heating element being adapted to at least partially vaporize the e-liquid; and a draw-activated light emitting diode that is activated by a signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source.
 2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the elongate hollow body includes a stainless steel shell that is protected by a matted exterior.
 3. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the power source includes a lithium ion battery that is adapted to provide a targeted number (N) of draws.
 4. The electronic cigarette of claim 3, wherein each draw sends a signal to the power source which then sends a signal to the light emitting diode, thereby updating a record of battery life and level of e-liquid remaining.
 5. The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein the e-cigarette expires when N=>1500.
 6. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the e-liquid comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, synthetic nicotine, vegetable glycerin and flavoring.
 7. The electronic cigarette of claim 6, wherein the nicotine includes synthetic nicotine in an amount less than 7 percent.
 8. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the power source is non-rechargeable.
 9. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is non-refillable and the electronic cigarette is disposable.
 10. A method of using an e-cigarette comprising the steps of: drawing on a mouthpiece of the e-cigarette; detecting a light signal emitted by a light emitting diode; and associating a color emitted by the light emitting diode with a condition of the e-cigarette, the condition being an amount of power remaining in the power source or a level of e-liquid remaining.
 11. A method of manufacturing an electronic cigarette, comprising the steps of: providing an elongate hollow body with an active end region that engages a user's lips, a central region and a passive end region; locating a mouthpiece proximate the active end region; situating a cartridge proximate the mouthpiece, the cartridge containing an e-liquid to be vaporized; disposing a wicking agent in fluid contact with the e-liquid that is adapted to duct the e-liquid; placing a heating element in thermal contact with the wicking agent and in electrical contact with the heating element in response to a draw exerted by a user; positioning an air sensor that detects an incoming draw induced by negative pressure applied by the user as he or she draws at the mouthpiece; connecting a printed circuit board assembly in electrical communication with the air-sensor, the printed circuit board assembly being adapted to energize the heating element in response to an electrical signal emitted by the air sensor, the heating element being adapted to at least partially vaporize the e-liquid; and energizing a draw-activated light emitting diode that illuminates in colored response to an electrical signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the energizing step is practiced in response to an electrical signal that indicates a level of e-liquid remaining.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the energizing step is practiced in response to either an electrical signal that indicates a level of e-liquid remaining or the electrical signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein either electrical signal is a function of the number of draws.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of configuring the printed circuit board assembly to read electrical signals S_(i) (emitted by the air sensor and accumulated to quantify inhalation count) & S_(b) (battery voltage level); activating the light emitting diode such that if 50>S_(b)>100% activate green LED if 10>S_(b)>50% activate yellow LED if S_(b)<10% activate red LED; and disconnecting the electrical power source if S_(i)>1500. 